The Loire valley is an ideal place to enjoy a gentle self-guided cycling holiday. Extraordinarily ornate chateaux dot the countryside and provide regular interludes to the cycling. Riding distances are kept short so you can take as much time as you like exploring each one, taking you back to a time of kings and noblemen. The picturesque countryside offers the perfect setting for idyllic picnics adding to the relaxed freedom of this trip. Each evening we stay in friendly, family run hotels and you can round off your day with some of the best food and wine France has to offer.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Enjoy an evening stroll along the River Cher, to find a viewpoint of the beautiful Château de Chenonceau. Dinner is included so expect plenty of flavours of the Loire and the opportunity to taste some of the local wine.Comfortable Hotel

Meals included:
Dinner

Day 2

Head west along the Cher Valley through the delightful riverside towns of Bléré and Athée-sur-Cher. Take the time to visit the 16th Century Château de Nitray with its beautiful gardens and wine-tasting opportunities before heading on to the lively town of Amboise. The town still retains it's mediaeval feel and has plenty of quaint cafés and bars to enjoy a drink before dinner.

Cycle approx. 39kmStandard Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 3

Today is free to enjoy all that Amboise has to offer. Visit the château and Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence, Le Clos Lucé. On Fridays and Sundays there are local food markets you can visit, or take a walk along the river for numerous photo opportunities.Comfortable Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 4

The route starts following the Cisse and continues on to Monteaux before arriving in Chaumont with time to explore the château and its gardens. The château contains some very interesting history - it was once acquired by Catherine de Medici in the 16th Century, but when her husband Henry II died in 1559 she forced his mistress Diane de Poiters to exchange Château de Chaumont for Château de Chenonceau which Henry had given to de Poitiers. The whole thing is now a museum and you can enjoy wandering round the exquisite property and its beautifully maintained gardens.

Cycle approx. 38kmComfortable Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Day 5

Your route takes you through the pretty village of Les Montils before heading to the Château de Beauregard. You then follow a loop around Cour-Cheverny to take in the Château de Cheverny and Château de Troussay.

Cycle approx. 26kmComfortable Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 6

Enjoy a day around Cheverny, which is criss-crossed with quiet country lanes, and green, easy to follow 'chateau a velo' routes. We provide routes to visit Chateau de Beauregard, and Chateau de Villesavin, but there are many other routes you can follow if you wish.

Cycle approx. 36kmComfortable Hotel

Meals included:
Breakfast

Day 7

Head south back to the River Cher through vineyards and sunflower fields. Head through Thenay and Montrichard before arriving at the spectacular Château de Chenonceau – the most romantic and beautiful of all the Renaissance châteaux. Then ride back to your hotel in Chisseaux.

Essential Info

Visas

France

No visa required for British passport holders.

Vaccinations

France

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

7 breakfasts and 3 dinners included.

Breakfast: Continental style buffet breakfast.

Lunch (not included): France is a country renowned for its food and wine and this trip should give you the full flavour of the Loire. Suggestions of what to do for lunch are in the cycling notes. Self-guided cycling lends itself perfectly to picnics, it is always a good option to pick up some local produce and then pick a spot along your route to stop and eat it.

Dinner: Where included these are taken in the hotels and will be the standard menu for those staying on a half board basis.

The Loire prides itself on its cuisine. It is refined country cooking, not heavy but rich in flavours and textures, drawing on the great garden of the Loire Valley. Fruit and vegetables abound. Asparagus, artichokes, button mushrooms, cherries and strawberries from the Loire are transported to kitchens throughout France, which demonstrates the quality of the produce. These all provide delicious accompaniments to the duck, venison and wild boar dishes (all hunted locally) that are served in sauces using wines from the local vineyards. Fish also features in abundance. With three wide, gently flowing rivers passing through the region, freshwater fish appear on most menus. 'Sandre' (pikeperch) and breme (bream) are especially popular and are usually served in a beurre blanc sauce - made with shallots, butter, dry white wine and vinegar.The majority of the cheese found in the region is goat's cheese. We suggest trying Selles-sur-Cher from the neighbouring Blesois region.Desserts are often based on the fruit from the local orchards. They include 'tarte tatin', a yummy caramelised upside-down apple pie - the invention of two absent-minded sisters in their attempt to salvage a dessert they had dropped on the floor.

The Loire is undoubtedly one of Europe's finest wine producing regions with many of the separate wine areas producing red, white, rose and sparkling wines. Distinctive whites include Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Vouvray and Muscadet; for reds, try Chinin, Bourgueil and Saumur. Anjou is by far the most popular rose.

Weather

The Loire valley is blessed with fantastic weather for cycling. The spring and autumn seasons experience mild climates with temperatures averaging 16-20 degrees Celcius. The summers are generally warmer with temperatures reaching the high 20s. There is always the chance of rain so it is best to be prepared for this with a waterproof layer, it is also good to have a warmer layer for the early mornings and evenings.

Is this trip for you?

Cycling ConditionsClassification: Self-GuidedActivity Level: 1 (Leisurely)>Average daily distance: 39km (24 miles). No. of days cycling: 5 (including 1 optional ride)Terrain and route: Mainly gentle cycling with no significant ascents or descents. Perfect for first timers.Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. There is also a local representative on hand to help you if needed.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

FamiliesSelf-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. Our local partner is able to offer a range of bikes that suit children and carrying options for parents, these are all subject to availability, therefore we ask that you enquire about these on booking. As a guide we have suggested that 8 yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each days cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities.

Accommodation

Hotels

You will spend 7 nights in 2 and 3 star hotels. These include a variety of charming traditional buildings, all with en suite facilities. A swimming pool is usually available in two of the hotels.

All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration.For a solo traveller there is an adttional charge to cover transfer costs.

We may be able to arrange a triple room if required, and there may be a small reduction for this. The reduction will need to be calculated for each booking, as we cannot guarantee availability of triple rooms on all nights. Please ask for a price, if this is your preferred option.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Loire Valley Route

An easy to follow route through quiet country roads and villages. Only two minor hills en route. Lots of pretty countryside, nice views and places to see en route. Luggage was always at destination on arrival making the whole trip really easy.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Countryside views and Chateaus; and plenty of opportunities for picnics

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

1. Pack light as you will only need a change of clothes for the evening.
2. Plan interim routes for the rest days - there are lots of short routes to interesting places and given the distances you don't really need a day's rest.
3. There are plenty of nice places to stop and have a picnic on the way. Buy your picnic in the morning as the shops are likely closed at the time you want to have lunch (12.00-15.00!)

Cycling in the Loire Valley

I really enjoyed the cycling trip. We had very good weather - sunshine every day. The trip was a lot of fun, accommodation was good and the food at some of the venues excellent. We really enjoyed seeing the chateaux and the villages along the route. Sometimes we found the directions a little misleading and confusing especially as we weren't given a map of the the ride to help us have a clearer picture of the route.
Overall the cycling was great and I would do another similar style trip.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The most inspirational moment of the trip was looking out the window at the nearby chateau one morning and seeing four hot air balloons float by. On a clear sunny morning it was just magical.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our trip was self guided and often I was the 'map reader' of the group. The others in the group seemed to appreciate my map reading and often it was about keeping the group together, with some riders faster or slower than others.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Wear bike shorts if you can and pack sunscreen. Even though we all had prepared for the ride we all pleased we had bike shorts to ease the pain of sore butt muscles. Don't overpack. Even though the suitcases were transported to our hotels heavy suitcases weren't welcome.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

CYCLING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

A fantastic experience with amazing scenery, excellent accommodation, no time restrictions and a relaxed itinerary. What a wonderful way to see the Loire Valley

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every morning we left our accommodation by 9am and although the weather was chilly the sun was shining and it just made the experience so much more enjoyable travelling on the back roads, the peace and quiet as we rode through forests and fields was not only relaxing but extremely refreshing.

What did you think of your group leader?

N/A

Is there anything else you would like to add?

A couple of the trip notes (Chambord round trip) are a little out of date. We were riding through a National Forest for about an hour, not entirely sure we were headed in the right direction and some of the &quot;distances&quot; should be double checked.

CYCLING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

A wonderful holiday in the Loire Valley. The cycling was just right: not too challenging (beautiful rolling countryside, stopping off at a chateau or two) but with a few steeper bits, just to keep us on our toes! The accommodation was great - lovely family-run hotels with friendly staff and superb food. And you even managed to organise some perfect weather - thanks! The only thing I'd recommend is to review some of the instructions in the cycling itinerary, they weren't always clear. But all in all a great experience and organised to run very smoothly. We'd certainly recommend it.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

- The chateau of Chenonceau - stunning- Swimming in the river at Montrichard- Cycling through the fields of sunflowers

What did you think of your group leader?

We didn't have a group leader.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Very helpful correspondence with Exodus before the trip, and a good info pack.

CYCLING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

This was a great family holiday. We all loved the entire experience. Our children , fifteen and twelve, are keen to experience another cycling holiday and this is not something that we would have predicted before the start of the week !!!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The chateaux were beautiful and reaching each destination was exciting.
The accommodation was , without exception , was very comfortable but our particular favorite was Hotel La Breche in Amboise. Very quirky with terrific food.

What did you think of your group leader?

Self guided holiday. The routes were well explained and took us through some very beautiful countryside.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The whole holiday was really well organized and a truly stress free experience.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

On the Wednesday we cycled from Bracieux to Chaumont Sur Loire when we passed through a village called Monthou Sur Bievre . On the main road we passed a cafe/ bar and stopped for some lunch. This little place was full of locals having a traditional French lunch . We joined the lunch party , the atmosphere was great and the food ( including a bottle of wine ) cost 58 Euros for four people. Well worth a visit !

CYCLING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

The Loire Valley is a superb region for cycling for riders of all standards. The variety of natural settings (forests, vineyards, farms, rivers) and the built environment (castles, villages, towns) provides for entertaining and informative travel. The terrain is gently undulating and our route generally avoided busy roads. The accommodation was just right: friendly staff in family style hotels with excellent food (where provided)

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The friendly and very helpful hotel staff;Riding through forests on &quot;no-cars&quot; tracks;The sheer magnificence of some of the chateaux.

What did you think of your group leader?

Ours was a self-guided tour. We encountered two issues:Only one set of maps and one guide book and one pannier for a couple made navigation &quot;interesting&quot; when, as we inevitably did, ride apart. The guidebook itself was quite challenging to follow and not as useful as one we saw being used by cyclists with another tour operator. The local company did provide us with additional panniers so we could both carry our own gearThe bicycle mechanic was on holidays when we started and our tools were inadequate to change the pedals to suit our clip-in shoes - a bike shop was located on day three and we got the change done then. &nbsp;

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

For anyone who has done some cycling, this is a very relaxing holiday and provides plenty of time to see and do things along the way. We enjoyed cycling into the old city of Blois on our rest day, and to the chateau in Amboise where Da Vinvci lived for three years.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the hotels used for this trip. Although they were rated as 2-star we found them ideally informal for a cycling holiday.

CYCLING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

A really nice family holiday that worked well. Lovely countryside and good choice of route offered a great shared experience. The hotels were basic but perfectly good enough and the food, where provided, was always excellent. We would definitely consider another Exodus cycling holiday in the future.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Arriving at Bracieux after a 49km ride was very satisfying - especially once in the pool

What did you think of your group leader?

No group leader. We had no contact with the local rep.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Padded cycling shorts essential - and maybe consider gel saddle pads too. Cycling gloves are unnecessary.Take mosquito repellent plug-in devices Don't bother with the son-et-lumiere in Amboise on your first night, espcially if you don't speak fluent French or got up early to get there! Book restaurants ahead of time for the days where you are not half-board, particularly in Chaumont, as there isn't much choice and everywhere was full. Even booking something at lunchtime would help. &nbsp;

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Detailed itinerary arrived only two days before the trip - more time to prepare would have been helpfulThe Relais D'Artemis restaurant in Bracieux was closed when the notes said it was open (and open when the notes said shut) and was very disappointing - the one poor value for money meal we had. Actually it would have been poor even it it had cost the same as the others.On the other hand the restaurant in the square opposite the Hotel Du Cygne - The Au Fil du Temps - was much better (and cheaper) and a really nice experience. We suggest you recommend that one instead.The route notes became unhelpfully brief at some points of the trip - particularly the last afternoon - and we went the wrong way as a result.It could be more clear where meals are included and not included in the trip notes.The bike shop was closed at both ends of our trip. It would have been useful to know this in advance so we didn't have to make another return trip across Amboise to return the bikes when all along they were going to be picked up from the hotel. We also missed out on any adjustment/instruction on the bikes before we set off and didn't have a full set of panniers/bungees until another traveller complained to the local rep. Brackets to hold water bottles on the bikes would have been useful. Otherwise, the bikes were in very good condition.It would have been useful to have a map with the official bike routes marked on them, so it was clear when were were supposed to be following them, or not.It would be even more useful to have an iPhone app with the routes and points of interest overlaid on the map. We had no idea what distance we had covered until we came upon a town or other landmark. On the return leg, the train booking left us with an unnecessary change and 1:30 hour wait in Blois. We didn't get this schedule until the tickets arrived two days before we left. We were then told we would have to pay to change the tickets to catch the direct train, but when we tried to do this, the ticket office said the tickets were flexible and we didn't need to. It would also have been useful to have been told that we had to validate the tickets before getting on the train.It would have been useful to include information on the chateau card (offering discount for visiting lots of chateaux) as we only found out about it after paying for most of them individually. The price for the horse spectacular at Chambord was a lot higher than was said in the route guide. Overall we ended up spending a lot more money than we thought we would need to. &nbsp;

CYCLING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

Beautiful countryside and the cycling was very gentle. The food and wine in the region was a real highlight. It was a really stress free holiday.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

It's a very gentle holiday, with a chance to see a different chateau every day - from the well known ones to litttle local chateaus and castles. Food and wine along the way was wonderful. Hotels were 2 star and had fans rather than air con - but that was OK apart from one very hot night. Friendly local hotels which was great.

What did you think of your group leader?

n/a - self guided.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The French trains are really well set up for bicycles - so if you want to on the Blois day take the train in and cycle back that is really easy. We took the train both ways in order to have a bike free day and long enough to see Blois. Check the train timetables though as there are some odd gaps in service in the day. There was only one part on the first day that was on quite a busy road (for about 2km), but after that the rest of the trip was on very quiet roads or designated cycle paths. We took the short routes as that was enough for us - and they seemed very well planned. I thought the route map given by Exodus was great - there was only one point where we got the big map out to check.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The bicycles were perfect, the organisation of the bags etc went really smoothly. Finding places to picnic was easy, the Exodus guide gave some suggestions. We also took a couple of days at the end in Tours, then a train with only one change back to Charles De Gaulle - really liked Tours, recommend it!

CYCLING IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

The Loire Valley was beautiful, cycling was wounderful and I would recomend althoug I feel the holiday was over priced for what we actully had. One week cost as much as two weeks 5 star in mexico!!!!! plus we had to find our own way to the Loire. The maps provided were up to date but if you just followed the Exodus details they were really poor.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The wounderfull time spent with my family, french food was good.

What did you think of your group leader?

This was not in our package

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Do it yourself as it is much cheaper.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

It is a wounderful place to go on holiday and I would really recommend.

Dates & Prices

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros

Cons

May be the most direct route

Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.

As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.

You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros

Cons

Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.

Through fare tickets can be expensive.

On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.

Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros

Cons

You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.

You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.

On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.